Saudi Arabia always supported Pakistan in difficult times: Fawad

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia had always supported Pakistan in difficult times, a senior government official said.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Saudi Winter Kit Distribution, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that the project would provide shelter to the poor people, especially those hit by the natural calamity in Harnai, Balochistan.

The welfare work done by Saudi Arabia through King Salman Relief Fund was also commendable, he said, adding that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed iconic longstanding multifaceted relations in various fields.

The foundation of Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia was laid with the creation of Pakistan, he said, adding that the relations with Riyadh were getting stronger and stronger with every passing day.

The minister said Pakistan had political, economic, and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia. Besides, Pakistanis have a relationship of devotion and respect with the kingdom due to the two Holy Mosques in Makkkah and Madina.

After the earthquake of 2005 and floods of 2008/09, the Saudi government generously extended its financial assistance to the people of Pakistan. The relief goods worth millions of dollars have been given under the Winter Relief project and 200,000 poor would benefit from it.

The poor segments of the society were close to the heart of the prime minister and the objective of the establishment of shelter homes was to help the poorest people and 600,000 of them are benefitting from these homes on a daily basis, he said.

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center [KSRELIEF] has launched its Winter Relief Kits Distribution Project 2021 for the distribution of winter relief items among the poor and needy families living in the coldest areas of Balochistan, including parts of Harnai district, which was badly affected in the recent earthquake.

Besides to the North Waziristan TDPs Camp at Bakakil, Sub-Division Bannu, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will also benefit from this project.

A total of 10,000 winter kits have been allocated for distribution among the earthquake victims of Harnai district, which was badly affected by the recent earthquake in the area.

The project is being implemented in cooperation with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the provincial government of Balochistan.

Under the winter kits distribution project, 29,000 winter kits have been provided, which would benefit 203,000 individuals in 10 districts of Balochistan and one in KPK.

The targeted districts of Balochistan included Quetta, Ziarat, Pishin, Killah Abdullah, Killah Saifullah, Qalat, Mastung, Harnai, Loralai and Chagai, while the targeted district of KP included North Waziristan TDPs Camp at Bakakhel and Sub-Division Bannu.

Each single winter relief kit comprises two polyester quilts, one winter shawl for men, one winter shawl for women, three pair of socks for men, three pair of socks for women, four pair of socks for children, four sets of winter caps and shawls for children both male and female, and four sets of warm undergarments for men and women.